I’ve been reviewing Motiv electric bikes for several years now and the Stash is their first folding model. It builds on the best qualities I’ve appreciated from other manufacturers like e-Joe, Enzo and EZ Pedalar with an internally mounted battery, the addition of pedal assist and throttle mode and fender, rack and light kit all while keeping price low. The Stash retails for $1,549 and an additional $99 gets you the rack, fenders and lights (great if you ride in the rain or at night) but I tested it naked. This is one of the coolest looking folders I’ve seen because of the all-black finish and curved top tube. Weighing in at ~45 pounds it’s not the lightest contender but it is one of the most comfortable and that’s due to the basic Top Gun fork (with roughly 60 mm travel), the oversized Kenda tires and the padded Gel seat from Velo. I appreciate an upright and “full sized” ride because my back and neck tend to get sore on bumpy terrain… especially when I’m leaned forward, and the Stash delivered on these points. I’m 5’9″ and the extra long seat post delivered full leg extension while pedaling once adjusted.
Some folding ebikes feel weak because they focus on weight savings with 250 watt motors but the Stash opted for a 350 and that combined with the smaller 20″ wheel size offers a lot of torque. It’s zippy and responsive, I always felt in control because I could override the five levels of assist with the twist throttle instantly and the brake levers have integrated motor kill switch so there were no delays. The brake levers are a nice touch here, they’re upgraded Tektro’s with rubber lined levers and an integrated bell on the left. Many other affordable ebikes like this go with flick bells that usually don’t produce the same loud ring and always crowd the handlebars. The cockpit on the Motiv Stash is clean and allows easy access to the control pad on the left (up, mode and down for interacting with the display) and an oversized thumb shifter on the right for navigating the seven speed cassette in the rear. One of the two quality sacrifices made on this bike are the derailleur which is a base level Shimano Tourney TX and the six magnet cadence sensor. They both get the job done and seem durable but the cadence sensor in particular just doesn’t respond as quickly or cut out as immediately.
Motiv has been working on this new electric bike for some time and the attention to detail really shows. I especially like the battery design because it can be charged on or off the bike, can be switched off when mounted (to keep people from tampering with your display) and it even has a USB charging port positioned well for actual use while riding! This is something I haven’t seen from any other companies so far, many times USB ports are in the way, liable to get kicked while pedaling or have wires snagged on your pants. While black might not be the first choice for every rider, I appreciated the matching accessories and the fact that black wires tend to blend in. With this bike you’re getting 160 mm disc brakes, locking grips and a quick release front wheel which are upgrades compared to many other folders. I love that they still included folding pedals but the plastic isn’t as stiff as an aluminum build (weight vs. price vs. ruggedness trade offs here).
To date this is one of my favorite folding electric bikes and while I wish that you didn’t have to pay an additional $99 for the rack, fenders and lights I appreciate that you can still buy them and know you’re getting the right fit. The headlight is actually wired in so you don’t need additional batteries like the back and the rack looked sturdy along with the fenders… I’m sure they’d produce a bit of extra noise when installed and add maybe a pound more to the bike but it’s much better than getting soaked in the rain or wearing a backpack on long commutes. I had a blast filming this bike at a train station in Southern California, demonstrating how it could be used to solve that “last mile” issue of commuting to public transportation spots. The Stash folds down quickly, easily and has built in frame elements to protect the components but I didn’t see a rubber band or magnets to keep it folded so consider bringing along a bungee of your own.
On a final note, I like that you not only get seven speeds here but that they delivered a larger 52 tooth front chainring because it helps to balance pacing and feel more like a normal full sized bicycle vs. a clown bicycle. In the back you also get a super-large ring designed for climbing. Between the larger motor, smaller wheels offering a mechanical advantage and the oversized gear the Stash should have no problem with hills.
Pros:
- I really love the suspension fork, even though it’s not super adjustable and doesn’t have lockout, it adds a lot of comfort given the more compact frame and smaller diameter 20″ wheelset
- The tires on this bike are fairly large at 2.125″ in diameter and they seemed pretty thick at the tread so you get both comfort and added puncture resistance which is great on an ebike (as they tend to be heavier and less fun to pedal unpowered)
- As far as folding electric bikes go, a 350 watt motor is on the upper end and this one is made by 8Fun which is a brand I recognize and trust
- I like that the frame, motor, spokes, wheelset and pedals are all black, this is a sharp looking bike (especially without the rack and fenders) and the wires sort of blend in vs. if it was another color
- You get five levels of pedal assist, throttle only mode and throttle override at full power all the time, this is the way I like electric bikes setup, it feels like you have more control over the systems
- I like that the battery is kind of hidden and protected inside the frame, it locks as well for security and there’s an on/off switch and USB charging port for charging portable electronics, the pack can be charged on or off the frame
- Motiv has been around for several years now and offers a solid one year warranty, they provide good customer support and I trust them
Cons:
- You have to pay an extra $99 for the fenders, lights and rack… but they fit perfectly and look great in my opinion, better than trying to find your own and guessing on Amazon or elsewhere
- The cadence sensor disc only utilizes six magnets vs. 12 on some of the newer ebikes I’ve tested, as a result pedal assist doesn’t always kick in as quickly or stop as immediately
- This isn’t the lightest folding electric bike, the suspension fork, larger tires, more powerful motor and battery do add some weight but that’s not necessarily a con given the added comfort and power
- Once folded, I didn’t see a rubber band or magnets to keep the bike from coming undone, it stays in place fairly well but could rattle or scrape around more in this mobile position
Resources:
- Official Site: https://www.motivelectricbikes.com/
- More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/ugbtfeZnjDu3tFYf9
Cameron Newland says
Nice review, Court! Seems like a solid folder.
I’ve been reviewing the Electrobike Magnos recently and it’s pretty similar (folding bike, Top Gun front suspension fork, cushy saddle), with the difference being that the Magnos is $300 cheaper and comes with a headlight, taillight, and fenders, but isn’t as good looking as the Stash and has its battery mounted low behind the seat tube instead of on the top tube/frame like the Stash, and the Magnos’ geared 8FUN hub motor only puts out 250W. Anyways, it seems like the two bikes have a lot of similarities (and a few key differences), but for someone looking to buy a bike like this one who is on a tighter budget, they ought to consider the Magnos.
Court Rye says
Cool! Thanks for sharing the Electrobike Magnos Cameron, I hadn’t seen that one before! It sort of reminds me of the Blix Vika+ or the EZ Pedaler F350 which both weigh more and have slightly larger (physically and capacity wise) batteries. I believe the new Motiv Stash is using higher energy density cells from Samsung that add to the cost but fit into the tubing nicely. I like the accessories you mentioned on the Magnos and the lower price, seems like a solid offering if you can find it locally or get free shipping and maybe some warranty support? That’s one of the things I appreciate from Motiv, they have good support and are expanding to more and more dealers.
Serge KC Mak says
I like to buy one , but l live Hong Kong , can ship to me.
Court Rye says
I have no idea! I’ll ask the guys at Motiv to get more information and help you :)
Court Rye says
I just emailed Motiv and they said you should reach out to them if you want to get one of these in Hong Kong, you can email them at [email protected] and just mention ElectricBikeReview :)
Frank says
Coiurt, I’m afraid I can’t agree with you on Motiv’s customer service. My experience with them was awful. There is no way I’ll do business with them. Not in this lifetime. Anyway, good luck trying to find any dealer in the U.S. to sell you this bike. In fact, they don’t even show this bike on their website 1/2 a year after your review!
Court Rye says
Thanks for the feedback Frank, I welcome your criticism and real-world experience… My time with the bike was limited and the review was shot early in the year so I wasn’t able to assess performance. I have seen and heard great things about Motive in the past but my sample size is limited. Cheers
Jack says
Encouraging review. Folding ebikes really are becoming mature ebikes, it seems. Court, two things: First, I noticed that within the first 17 hours your review was posted, it got 890 views on Youtube. Surely a healthy sign that ebike awareness is growing. And second, I’d encourage you – for folders – to add a ‘package measurement’ in future folded bike reviews. I’ve had a fair bit of experience with folders in two different ‘last mile’ settings: boats & small planes. In the former, a folder needs to live in a cockpit locker or some not-roomy corner down below, and the bike needs to either be handled on/off the boat over lifelines or needs loading into a dinghy when on the hook. With a plane, the issues are not just space behind the cockpit’s front seats but also access into the cockpit altogether (via sliding canopy, passenger door or luggage door). In all these cases, knowing the dimensions of the folded package are all but essential, and perhaps to a lesser degree they would be helpful for RV owners as well. Yeah, I know…yet another tweak to the specs layout! But it would be a great addition. Good luck on all those looming 2016 reviews you no doubt are anticipating.
Court Rye says
Hi Jack! Yeah, I think people are very excited for the 2016 models and it’s great to get that kind of positive response with the video. I feel behind because I’ve been so focused on the new design and features (many of which are still unlaunched at this time). I actually did post the geometry measurements and folded dimensions with this review but my system deleted the information!! How frustrating :( This happened due to a still unsolved technical issues that I’m hoping to take care of very soon. My plan is to replace the information once it’s fixed and I will also need to reach back out to Motiv to get it as I did not have a backup and their designer is out of the country right now. Thanks for your suggestion and not only that, backing it up with real life examples! I agree that it’s very useful information and also find that a folding-lock feature is nice but that if you don’t have one (like on this bike) that a bungee cord is a good thing to have and use so the bike stays put when folded ;)
VB Ebikes says
Good looking bike.. appearance wise it reminds me of the more expensive E-Motion Volt. I just don’t get it why some manufactures use a cheaper six magnet disk for pedal assist activation. There was a lot of start/stop lag in your informative video. Can six more magnets cost that much more? Curious as to the firmness of the folding handle bar latch..as this has been a problem with some folding bikes after wear/break-in. Even a little bit of slop there can be quite unnerving and unsafe. Overall, this looks like a nice ebike for the money!
Court Rye says
Yeah, I made sure to tell the Motiv guys about the six magnet vs. twelve being less responsive and they understood so maybe that aspect of the bike will be redesigned in the future. I really don’t know how much extra it would cost but I agree with you that it can’t be much. As for the latch, difficult for me to say on that one. The latch felt solid to me but it was brand new, maybe you could ask around in the EBR forum for Motiv or someone else will respond here :)
VB Ebikes says
Will do Court. Looking forward to reading your review of Pedego’s new folding ebike, the Latch…Gates belt drive, Nexus hub and all of Pedego’s goodies. Receiving my first shipment of these exciting new bikes next week…stop by for a ride/review opportunity if your East Coasting in the Virginia Beach area.
Court Rye says
Awesome! Thanks for the invite, I’d love to swing by and guess what… I’ll be checking out the new Latch very soon, it looks like an awesome bike. I just covered the Ridge Rider YESTERDAY and posted the review tonight. I was very impressed given it’s the first edition and a brand new category for the company :)
OCHappy72 says
Do you know what the maximum rider weight is?
Court Rye says
Great question… I’ll reach out to Motiv and check on this for you :)
hadi says
i like it so iam liven in brazil where can i buy it
Court Rye says
Cool! I’ve never been to Brazil so I cannot say for sure but you could email the company at [email protected] to see if one could be shipped possibly :)
Eric says
Nice review. I wish I could find one of these for sale somewhere. It’s not even amongst the listing of bikes on the manufacturer’s website. I had a fold bike I wasn’t thrilled with. I bought a scooter that I haven’t seen reviewed here. The i-max s1+ from magnumbikes. I got it because I saw the T3 review and hoped that the quality of the S1+ was the same. I like it so far, and I’m getting used to it. It’s heavy. But meeting my needs at present. But deep down I think I want an electrified folding bicycle for my last mile of commute into NYC, and the Stash looks stealthy with its hidden battery. Seems like it’d be just the thing. If only I could find one somewhere to buy. I like the Pedego Latch, but that’s a heavy bike to lug up and down stairs at train stations. Though there’d be a dealer not far away where I can go see one. I might just take a look/test ride of the Latch if I can’t find any more info or a place to get a Stash.
Court Rye says
Hi Eric! I’m not sure why Motiv hasn’t updated their site? You could reach out to them directly with the official website link above in the review. Perhaps they could send one direct or help you find a dealer? I also prefer it to the Latch for a light-weight more active folding ebike… and I agree it looks cool ;)
Terry says
Hi Court, nice review! If you could only choose one folding ebike out of these two, Motiv Stash and Enzo, which one will it it be and why? Thanks!
Court Rye says
It depends… I like the style of the Stash and appreciate that Motive sells through some dealers that I’ve visited where you can test it out and get support. The Enzo is pretty resilient with the rust-proof hardware and cast alloy wheelset. I like that it comes with fenders and lights stock vs. the Motiv where they are optional… but that’s part of the cool style. So if you don’t need the fenders and happen to live near a dealer the Stash could be a winner. Both models ride well :)
Terry says
Thanks, Court! I, too, like the look of the Stash more but the only dealer I can find online selling this model is in China! Nothing on the manufacturer’s website, in fact, no one else has anything on this model except you and another reviewer. Well, it’s hard to buy an item when no dealer in the entire US of A is selling that item! I guess I’ll go with Enzo’s rust-proof hardware and cast alloy wheelset bike. Thanks again, Court!
Court Rye says
Sounds good Terry, I haven’t seen many of the Motiv Stash models at shops (even shops that carry Motiv like the Elctric Bicycle Center in Southern California). If you reach out to them they could probably provide some background or even look into ordering and shipping if you prefer it to the Enzo :)
Antonio says
Purchasing a bike this week … Ejoe or motiv. ?
Court Rye says
I think they are both solid but am happy that Motiv now seems to have the Stash in stock (for a while it was tough to find and buy!) here’s a video with some people at the last ebike open house at Sam’s shop where a couple considers both. I do like the style of the Stash a lot but the fenders and rack on the e-Joe are pretty handy. I think Motive can get you those for their bike if you want.
Antonio Mathis says
Lol.. I bought the Ejoe yesterday and love it.. Been on it since 10am and just got home 3:45pm.. San Diego.. U were the best thing when it came to review’s. Thanks for everything.
I liked the stash but i liked Ejoe 2017 bigger and more mpg lol.. And its made locally.. 2017 fenders are improved.
Court Rye says
That feels great! Thanks for the support Antonio! Have a blast out there riding :D
Terry says
Hey Court, you wrote about the Motiv Stash, “It’s zippy and responsive, I always felt in control because I could override the five levels of assist with the twist throttle instantly and the brake levers have integrated motor kill switch so there were no delays. The brake levers are a nice touch here, they’re upgraded Tektro’s with rubber lined levers and an integrated bell on the left.”
Do you find Motiv Stash twist throttle and performance better than Enzo’s thumb throttle? If so, how so?
Thanks!
Court Rye says
Hi Terry! Twist throttle vs. trigger throttle is big debate out there and I think it really comes down to user preference. I like trigger throttles on mountain bikes (which often don’t have throttles at all) because it doesn’t compromise your grip at all. When I’m riding on bumpy challenging terrain I want to feel in control and solid so the trigger (being somewhat removed from the grip) gives me that. I’ve also heard that some people with smaller hands and fingers like them because they can’t twist as far with a grip-twist. Ultimately, twist throttles seem to be the most popular and the half-grip twist is prevalent with electric bikes (more so than full grip twist) because it compromises between steering and getting power. The Motiv Stash felt very zippy and offered a different cool look compared to many folders. Enzo seems to focus more on utility than style. They both feel pretty good in terms of electric assist and power.
Ante says
Can i buy it somewhere in EU? tnx
Court Rye says
Hi Ante, unfortunately I do not think so… Maybe a dealer would be willing to ship, you could ask Motiv directly if they sell any in the EU but nothing comes to mind for me. Here is their official website: http://www.motivelectricbikes.com